Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young cricketer who is playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025, has certainly become a household name after his superb performance in the match against Gujarat Titans but some people are also raising questions on his age.
In a recent social media post, former Indian boxer Vijender Singh stirred controversy by questioning the prevalence of age fraud in cricket. His remarks came shortly after 14 years old Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s explosive 35-ball century for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans, a performance that made him the youngest centurion in both IPL and men’s T20 cricket history.
Vijender Singh’s post, which pondered whether players are now reducing their ages to compete in cricket, led many to speculate that he was talking about Vaibhav Suryavanshi in an indirect manner. The timing of the comment, coupled with the young cricketer’s unprecedented success, fueled discussions about the authenticity of Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s age.
Here is what Vijender Singh tweeted, “Bhai aaj kal umar choti ker ke cricket me bhe khelne lage”
https://x.com/boxervijender/status/1917542144740581618
Social media platforms have since been abuzz with debates, with some users sharing past interviews and videos of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, suggesting he appears older than his stated age. One viral video features a local acquaintance claiming that Vaibhav Suryavanshi is actually 16 years old, not 14.
Despite the swirling allegations, there is no concrete evidence to suggest any wrongdoing. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stringent verification processes in place to prevent age fraud and Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been cleared to play in age-group tournaments.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s coach Manish Ojha has come to his defense, urging critics to focus on the young player’s talent rather than casting aspersions on his age. Manish Ojha emphasised that Vaibhav Suryavanshi is an asset to the country and deserves support.
As the debate continues, it’s essential to balance the celebration of young talent with due diligence, ensuring that the integrity of the sport is upheld without undermining genuine prodigies.
